His most enduring creation was Purrside City, a brightly-colored animated series centered on Rizzo. A nervous, stammering rat with oversized glasses and a smile that never quite fit his face. Rizzo only wanted to make friends, to belong in a town full of cheerful animals.

Rizzo flinched at fireworks and balloon pops. He scanned doorways before entering a room, like a soldier on patrol. Despite this, the show drew strong early ratings. Letters poured in from kids who adored Rizzo. Then, without warning, Purrside City was pulled from television in the summer of 1984. No explanation. No reruns. Some blamed low funding, others whispered bankruptcy. Officially, it was never mentioned again.

No episode has ever resurfaced. Grainy stills circulate online, tapes “discovered” only to be proven fake. Rumors persist that a copy exists. Locked away in a box, in an attic, in a government vault.